Sampaoli has been tasked with the job of leading the team to 2018 World Cup in Russia as the Argentine side is struggling at the qualifying campaign, standing outside the automatic qualifying place at the fifth spot after 14 games.

The 57-year-old is the third coach after recently-sacked Edgardo Bauza and Gerardo Martino for La Albiceleste in their qualifying campaign. However, with the friendly in Melbourne, there will be less pressure on the team and it is a good platform for Sampaoli to begin stint with Lionel Messi and Co.

Argentina, who were crushed in their World Cup qualifier in November last year by Brazil 3-0 on the road after Philippe Coutinho, Neymar and Marcelo found the back of the net, will be looking for revenge.

And the absence of Neymar gives the second-ranked side a good chance to dominate the one-off match before they head to Singapore for their international friendly at the National Stadium on 13 June. However, Brazil have enough firepower in the likes of Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, David Luiz, Douglas Costa and Thiago Silva to fetch a positive result.

The onus will be on Barcelona star Lionel Messi along with Juventus star Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria to do the job for Sampaoli on Friday.